HUNTINGTON BEACH – Nine-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater will mix science and surfing to teach the dynamics of the ocean.

Slater stars in the first 3D IMAX surfing movie, The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D, which will debut nationwide on Friday.

The film, underwritten by Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver, uses the same 3D technology as the box office hit, Avatar, to take viewers into the wave, below the water’s surface and onshore as Slater and Tahiti native, Raimana Van Bastolaer, scour Teahupo’o in search of the perfect wave.

The film, directed by award-winner Stephen Low, approaches ocean science in a way that draws viewers in and keep their interest.

“(We) did not set out to make another surfing movie,” Low said. “Instead, we took the IMAX canvas and the desire to educate others about the ocean and weaved our perspectives (into it).”

Animation shows how the islands were formed and how waves get their size and shape, while underwater cameras explore the coral reef ecosystem and the ocean life. It also gives a brief look into Tahitian culture and traditions of the natives.

And in between segments with educational value, pure entertainment ensues as Slater tears up Teahupo’o – on waves that many surfers consider to be the most dangerous, yet pristine, in the world.

“We did not come looking for the ultimate surf experience – meaning finding the gnarliest, biggest wave,” Slater said. “Our film is about finding what might be the ultimate wave…but is in many ways much more than that.

“Who knows, we may never find the ultimate wave, but we’ll continue to enjoy the search.”

Filmmakers hope the movie will be an attraction for science students and eventually will be released on DVD for teachers to use in the classroom, film spokesman Ryan Lilyengren said.

The film will be playing at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, 700 State Drive.